Jack Segal, a talent agent said to be the inspiration for the Woody Allen film and character, "Broadway Danny Rose," died Jan. 12 in New Jersey, according to The New York Times.

Jack Segal, a talent agent said to be the inspiration for the Woody Allen film and character, "Broadway Danny Rose," died Jan. 12 in New Jersey, according to The New York Times.

Mr. Segal, whose clientele included unusual acts such as a one-legged tap dancer and piano-playing pigeons, was 98.

Son Mort Segal told The Times that his father was not the basis for the film character, "but everybody thought he was." In the 1984 picture, Allen played a small-time manager with clients on the fringe of showbiz.

Variety reported that Mr. Segal booked lesser-known vaudeville performers and graduated to stars such as Eddie Cantor and Abbott and Costello. He also booked clients into so-called Borscht Belt venues in hotels and lodges in the Catskills.

The Times reported that he represented Pegleg Bates, a novelty tap dancer, and Pierce Knox, a blind xylophonist. He reportedly was linked to the early careers of Joan Rivers, Buddy Hackett and Jackie Mason. Mr. Segal had served as executive secretary of the National Conference of Personal Managers, and was a member of the New York Friar's Club and Yiddish Artists and Friends.